Jumper Struts

[dexneverathome]

I have jumper struts on my mast which is a fractional rig. Unusually for a fractional rig, there is a masthead front halyard.
Does the presence of the jumpers allow me to fly an asymmetrical spinney from the masthead? Or should it only be flown from the hounds?

 

[flaming]

If the halyard is there then I would expect it to be able to be used... Masthead halyards on fractional rigs are not all that unusual.

However, this is really a question for a professional rigger, and not an internet forum.

 

[dexneverathome]

Hi Flaming,

I’ve consulted a couple of riggers. Neither will commit themselves to saying I can fly anything from it.
One mentioned that it might just be used to access the masthead. I have verified that the front halyard is not an original feature of the rigging. It was added at a later date.

 

[Martin_J]

The snippet that you posted does actually say ... "A jumper arrangement might be necessary when using a masthead gennaker/spinnaker or for stabilising the top of the mainsail"

... so it sort of gives it as a reason for having the jumper stays. Backstay would hold the masthead back (against spinnaker force) whilst the jumper struts will try to reduce side to side bend which in the picture shown wouldn't otherwise have.

With the same proviso as Flaming - Question for a local rigger perhaps.

 

[flaming]

I’ve consulted a couple of riggers. Neither will commit themselves to saying I can fly anything from it.

I think that gives you the answer....

If it wasn't original then the stick almost certainly wasn't designed with it in mind...

 

[Martin_J]

If however your insurer asks for a 'rigging check' you could just ask a local rigger for that and go from there..

Although the rigging check might see a "minimal amount of corrosion" around some of the rivets and your insurance will then want all the rivets drilled out and refitted

I'm having a cynical afternoon..

 

[William_H]

Mast head spinnaker or genaker would only ever be flown in light conditions. To try to carry a big spin from top in strong winds would risk endagering the mast. I would think. Of course the other limiting factor would be the ability of the boat to carry the big sail especially reaching. ie which happens first in a gust, the boat heels and rounds up or the mast snaps off. Hopefully for safety the mast stays up and boat falls over. But I would think ultimately it is up to you to decide at what wind strength a smaller spin from top of forestay si best. ol'will

 

[michael_w]

My boat has a masthead halyard on a 7/8ths rig. The owner's manual says the asymmetric can be carried up to a maximum of 12 kts AWS.

 

[dexneverathome]

Thanks Michael. What about a symmetrical spinnaker?